"Memories"

"I'm telling you guys, Goldberg would win against me in a eating contest" Julie told us as we all laugh "Have you seen him eat?!"

"No and I really don't want to" I giggled "It'll probably hurt my stomach just by looking at the meal itself"

I noticed that Connie was acting a bit, quiet. She usually seemed a bit jolly about Julie's comment but right now she wasn't herself.

"What's wrong Connie?" I ask as I put my blades on.

"It's about Guy and Luis" she sighs

"Don't tell me you're still figuring out who to pick Con" Julie chimed in as she takes a seat next to me.

"I mean- Yeah? But no- I don't know!" She stammered "Guy is such a sweet person and caring- but so is Luis! I don't know who to pick"

I didn't know what to say in this situation. She's talking about my best friend that I have a slight crush on and how the heck am I suppose to deal with that? Do I just shake it off? Get angry? Do I-

"Nai! Earth to Nai?" Julie breaks my thought as she waves her hand in front of me.

"I-I'm sorry, what were you guys saying?"

"I was asking about Luis. Since you guys are so close is it alright if I talk about this? If it's not I'll totally stop!" Connie said nervously.

Act cool Nai, don't be suspicious "No no! It's alright. What are you concerned about exactly?"

"Luis and Guy have been wanting to go on a date with me but I can't pick. Why do boys always have to pick me?"

"Hey, it's ok" I said, comforting her "Just, pick what your heart wants. If you feel like you don't know who to pick them just tell them that you're not ready to date"

"You think they'll understand?"

I nod "Sure they will!"

She smiles "Thanks Nai"

"Hey what about me?" Julie pouted "I feel offended"

"Duhh! You too!" She said as we all laugh

"Alright, now that Connie's problem is solved, there is a new rumor going around. So Nai, what's going on with you and Portman?" Julie smiles as she slightly nudges me

"What about us?"

"Don't play dumb sister! He's trying to get with you!"

I began to blush "W-What?! No... he's just... I mean we're just... "

"I mean, it's quite obvious" Connie added

"You too? Guys, I've only been here for a week and you guys are telling me that Dean is trying to get with me?"

Julie quickly nods "A week is a week, but a crush- especially if Portman likes you- that's something new"

"He never talked to anyone but Fulton and Ken, but when you came he changed a bit" Connie smirks "It's like it's destined to be"

I laughed on how dumb that sounded, tears almost falling down "Alright, even if he WAS- which he isn't, I'll have to hear it from him. No one else"

"Fine, but if we see you in a wedding dress, expect us to be the bridesmaids" Julie chuckles

"You both are out of it, but we better get going. Coach Bombay will be thinking we ditched practice"

*****

"Alright everyone bring it in!" Coach Bombay shouted "You guys are improving a lot and I'm quite proud of each of you. Just remember to get some rest and eat well because this Wednesday we have a game going against The Red Robin's"

Wow, already a week in and I'm starting to play my first game. I hope I do good, otherwise I would look like an idiot.

"Alright everyone go change because y'all stink! And I'll see you all tomorrow"

"Want a hug before we go Coach?" Russ smiles

He shakes his head "Don't even think about it Russ"

I smile with joy as I look over to Luis so we can discuss about this weeks game. But once again, he was talking to Connie. I started walking to the girls locker room, my head hung a bit low. Guess Luis seems to be distracted by her.

"Hey Nai! Wait up!"

I look back to see Luis walking up to me as he grabs his helmet and stick. He smiles as me with his usual bright smile I always loved.

"You excited for Wednesday?"

"I guess..."

His smile fades away "You alright?"

"Oh Yeah! I'm good. Just a little worn out that's all" I lied.

I never lied to Luis before. We always had a thing to never do that ever since we were little kids. I felt bad, but then I didn't wanna tell him anything about my feelings for him.

"I'll wait for you in the front ok?"

"O-Oh, ok"

I quickly change back to my clothes and walked out the stadium. I smelled horribly, and the only thing that was good was the fresh breeze.

"You smell!" Luis jokes as he pinches his nose.meeting me halfway

"Look who's talking Mr.Smelly!" I giggled as we started walking to my house.

As we were walking we started to talk about the game on Wednesday. To be honest I was more excited than nervous. It's just a game and it won't be so bad, right?

"So..."

"Soooo what?" I smiled as I kicked some small pebbles from the concrete, avoiding eye contact

He clears his throat "You and Portman?"

"There is nothing going on between us Luis. We're just... friends"

"Alight alight! I'm just messing with you. I'll see you tomorrow Nai"

"Yeah, see you"

I watch as he skated down the block, and turning right. Does everyone think that Dean and I are trying to get at each other? It's like they are placing bets or something. I sighed as I walk up the steps and into my house.

"I'm home!" I called out as I took off my skates.

"You look worn out my love" mom said as she helped me with my other foot

"Yeah, Coach Bombay wasn't fooling around when he said we were gonna practice hard"

"You should take a shower before you eat" She smiles as I walked upstairs to the bathroom.

I'd say one negative thing about hockey, that it makes you smell bad. I never liked smelling because I was told all my life that it was "unladylike", so it's always been a slight fear for me to smell bad.

"Want me to brush your hair?" Mom asked as I put on my shirt

"If you want"

She sat me down in front of the mirror as she gently brushes my hair with a brush. She always loved brushing my hair ever since I was a little kid. She said it always relaxed her and we had more of a mother and daughter relationship. I kinda like it too if I'm being honest, she always hums this song that was so peaceful and soothing to my ears. It was a thing we both like.

"You don't seem as happy as you usually do. Is there something wrong?"

"Kinda? Yeah? I don't know..." I responded "I've been having a lot of feelings lately and I don't know what to do"

"You can always tell me Nai. After all, I'm your mother, I have to help you with your problems"

I let out a sigh "Well first off... it's about Luis. I think you're right about him... because I'm starting to like him- a lot"

I look up at the mirror as I see my mom with a soft smile across her face, possibly relieved that I accepted it "That's not so bad"

"But there's a problem..." I began, looking down as I fidgeted with my fingers "He likes someone else. A girl name Connie who is also in the team. She's so pretty and is such an angel. We're friends but I don't know how to tell her anything about Luis. I guess that's why he likes her so much... because she's so pretty..."

"Nairobi, do you know how beautiful you are?"

I slowly looked up, staring at her from the mirror "Do you?"

"Of course I do. What I see in front of me is my daughter, with soft-sparkly eyes that remind me of the galaxy every time they gleam. Your famous dimples that you have from yours truly of course. And... your smile, you have the same smile as your father"

"I have papá's smile?"

She gently kisses my forehead "Exactly the same, especially when we were younger. When he found out I was pregnant, he placed a bet that you will look more like him than me"

I turned around, facing towards her "So, did he win or lose?"

"He lost the bet. Mostly because he said that you looked more like me with your eyes and the dimples. But he would brag about how you have the exact same smile as him" she explained "You're beautiful because you have both me and your father's features"

"I never thought of it that way..."

"Look Nai, if Luis goes with that girl Connie, just understand that it was his choice. You will find the right person someday"

"Well..."

She softly laughs "Oh? There's more?"

"There is this guy... his name is Dean. He's really tough and mean to others, but when it comes to me he's really sweet and funny. My other friend Julie thinks he likes me, but I'm not sure. I mean it's only been a week since I joined the team and now someone has a crush on me- I think"

"You should hear it from him. It may be surprising, it may be not. Who knows? You'll just have to find out"

"Thank youuu! That's what I told Connie and Julie but I think they might be right. I mean Dean is very calm around me, but we'll just see"

"Alright you're hair is all done. We better go downstairs and eat before it gets cold"

"Yes! I'm starving!"

After I ate dinner and helped mom with the dishes, and I went upstairs to my room. I was exhausted but in a good way, I never felt this in such a while.

I thought about what mom said about dad. I never thought that I had his smile. Better yet, I didn't think I had any feature of him.

It's been a while since I thought about him... It's funny, It felt like it was just yesterday when he taught me about hockey when I was three years old. How he showed me how to shoot a puck and let be try it out with his big stick that was too big for my little toddler hands.

He wasn't like any other dad. Yeah I know people say that a lot but I'm actually serious. He was tall and muscular. Had dirty blonde hair that turns into a wheat color in the summer. His light chocolate brown eyes that looks hazel every time he faces the sunlight. He would make the funniest dad jokes and I soon picked it up, which mom didn't like as much, but I know deep down she loves it. He was always so brave and always had a step ahead from anything. He was truly my hero...

I started to feel a slight hint of sadness. It's been a while since I cried and I don't want to since I always felt like you were weak when you cry, and I didn't like to show that I was weak.

The sound of my house phone almost killed me because of how loud it was. I really wish it was quieter. I answered it, thinking who the heck would call me around eight thirty at night?

"Hello?"

"Here's Johnny!"

"Is that you Luis?" I ask, hearing him laugh from the other side of the phone "Why are you calling me at this time? Is there something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to hear from my best friend"

"As far as I know my best friend wouldn't be calling me at this time because I would be asleep. Which in fact, I was about to do. So spill"

"Ok ok you got me. Damn, it's like you can read me like a book"

I smile "I've been told that quite a lot. So are you going to tell me orrrr-"

"Right right! So it's about Connie. I figured if I bought her some chocolates she would wanna hang out with me more than Guy"

I sighed "Luis, hear me out, from an actual girl that talks to her- and also because I'm a girl, Connie is still processing this and she's just gonna need time. You don't need to be giving her stuff that is unnecessary. She will know who to pick when she tells you"

"Maybe you're right. I'm getting too ahead of myself"

"You don't say?" I say sarcastically "It's almost as if- you're down bad for her"

"Shut it Cortes! You want me to bring up Portman again? Hmm?"

"Alright alright, it's a tie... for now. But seriously, don't look like you're desperate"

"Gotcha! I knew I could count on you. You're a really good friend"

Friend. Before I didn't mind the word at all and I was proud to be Luis' best friend. But... right now it kinda hurts my heart a little. It just doesn't feel right to me.

"I'll swing by tomorrow at your place. See you then"

"Yeah, see you"

I hung up the phone, of course he wasn't trying to talk to me as he usually does. His mind is all for Connie this and Connie that. I don't hate her, but I just feel like I'm becoming less connected to Luis each day, each minute... It's like I'm starting to just get forgotten by him or something.

I let out a sigh as I turn off my lamp. Maybe tomorrow could be better. After all it's a Tuesday and it's one day away from the game. I have to think positive.

"Everything will be ok..."

***********************************